Squatters who took over soldier's home while he was deployed to Hawaii forced out ahead of 'peaceful' protest by veteran biker gang

Squatters who took over the home of a Florida veteran who fought in Afghanistan have moved out - just days before they were set to be faced by a group of veteran motorcyclists.

Packed-up vehicles were spied Wednesday night in the home's driveway in New Port Richey, according to WFLA.

Homeowner US Army Spc. Michael Sharkey, who is stationed in Hawaii, was angered to find out that Julio Ortiz was squatting in his home, along with his girlfriend Fatima Cardoso.

'I want the people out. They're criminals living in my house,' Sharkey told the station.

Homeowners: Spc. Michael Sharkey, pictured with wife Danielle, was angered to discover squatters had been staying in his home while he served overseas

Home free: Now that squatters Julio Ortiz and Fatima Cardoso are out, the Sharkeys are expected to move back into their home on June 1

He later added, 'The people that are in this house cannot produce any documentation, lease, agreement, anything that they belong in that house.'

Ortiz earlier told WFLA he had a 'verbal agreement' with one of Sharkey's friends to stay in the home for free, provided he offer repair work.

However, Sharkey's friend Lisa Pettus, who had been supervising the couple's home while they were away, denied to the station that there was ever an agreed-upon living arrangement.

Pettus said she gave Ortiz necessary supplies and the couple were never alone - but was shocked to find them shacking up in the house about two months after the job was done.

Wife Danielle Sharkey then flew to Florida on New Year's Eve, the station says, and even brought a sheriff's deputy. The deputy, however the residency was a civil matter after he learned of Ortiz's so-called agreement.

Ortiz and
Cardoso moved out just days before a group of veteran motorcyclists planned to ride to the home on Sunday if the couple had not moved by then. Riders had planned to 'peacefully make the
squatters uncomfortable,' the station reports.

Squatters: Julio Ortiz, left, and girlfriend Fatima Cardoso, right, reportedly moved out of the Sharkey residence on Wednesday evening. Ortiz earlier said he had a 'verbal agreement' with one of Sharkey's friends to stay in the home and complete repairs on it

Groups Veterans Warriors and Sand Soldiers of America worked together and got the Sharkeys an attorney, Warriors member Lauren Price writes in a GoFundMe page for the home. The lawyer reportedly presented Ortiz and Cardoso with a 24-hour notice before they left.

Price writes the fundraising page was set up because the home suffered extensive damage and they are seeking help with reconstruction costs.

'The squatters left the Sharkey's home in a disgusting state. Beyond the filth, dog feces, trashed furniture and garbage, there are some significant repairs to be made,' she writes.

Price adds that the home's roof has a 4-inch hole as well as 'multiple sections of what appear to be deliberate damage.'

Help: A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover repair costs before the couple moves back into their New Port Richey home

Home: After being served with a notice by a lawyer, Ortiz and Cardoso left the home, pictured

Cleanup: Animal control was spotted at the residence, trying to retrieve the dogs left behind by Ortiz and Cardoso

In the kitchen, three cabinets along with tiling were reportedly 'destroyed.'

Ortiz and Cardoso's dogs also reportedly left waste on wood floors in the home's bedrooms, as well as digged up and ruined the home's yard.

Price says the couple turned the garage into a 'illegal bedroom' and that they even bypassed the home's electric meter.

Both a sheriff's deputy and animal
control were filmed by WFLA trying to remove the couple's two pitbulls
that were left behind in the residence. They were later taken by Ortiz's friends.

That report said that Duke Energy officials also determined that the couple had been stealing electricity for over a year - and that they planned to seek federal charges against them.

Both Ortiz and Cardoso have lengthy criminal backgrounds. Ortiz served a combined 12 years in New Jersey, the station reports, and Cardoso served over two years for drug offenses.

The Sharkeys, meanwhile, are set to return to their home on June 1. The home is being supervised by Veterans Warriors until they return.